Copper Weathervane - Horse

Weathervane, Horse, running stallion copper weathervane, handmade by West Coast Weather Vanes

 

Weathervanes

West Coast Weather Vanes

 

Weathervane - Griffin

Griffin copper weathervane photo.jpg

 

Copper weathervanes are our specialty.  We offer over 600 custom weathervanes

in a wide variety of styles and prices.

 

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HOW WE MAKE OUR WEATHER VANES...

CREATIVE PROCESS  |  VANE MAKERS  |  GUEST ARTISTS

Ken at work (11608 bytes)

Ken starting with weathervane pattern

Using paper patterns unique to each weather  vane design, we trace the pattern on to a sheet of copper or brass and then cut the individual pieces out by hand with metal shears.

Click on the thumbnail photos to enlarge for details.

To give texture to the surface of the metal,  we use custom shaped hammers. We have created our own custom hammers to create the illusion of anything from a buffalo's hairy coat to a mermaid's scales to the breast feathers of an eagle. Make2.jpg (11825 bytes)

Ken using custom hammers to shape the weathervan

Make3.jpg (11915 bytes)

Ken shaping weather vane

The three dimensional shaping of the design is done with rawhide hammers on leather sand pillows, anvils and/or custom shaped oak blocks. This is the most difficult part of the process and requires the most skill and coordination. Because no molds are used, each weather vane has individual variations, making it unique within the limited edition series.  Make4.jpg (12505 bytes)

Ken soldering weathervane together

Two opposite halves of each section of the design are made and are soldered together to form a hollow body. This can be tricky, since the pieces must match exactly. The individual sections are then joined together. Just before closing up the final seam on the vane, a penny from the year it is made is slipped inside - an old weather vane making tradition that symbolizes good luck. Make5.jpg (11402 bytes)

Ken holding finished weathervan

 

After affixing the installation mounting tube into the sculpture piece the vane is complete. Some of our more elaborate weather vanes can have over 75 individual pieces and take up over a month to make. You can pretty much tell by our prices which ones take us the longest to create!
OUR CREATIVE PROCESS  
ALL DESIGNS ARE COPYRIGHTED BY WEST COAST WEATHER VANES AND MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN ANY WAY WITHOUT EXPRESS PERMISSION FROM WEST COAST WEATHER VANES.   

Additional Weather Vane Designs:  

West Coast Weather Vanes currently offers over 600 custom handcrafted copper and brass weathervanes.

Click on any of the links below to see designs in other categories.

 

Home  |  Search  |  About Us  |  Contact Us  |  Site Map  |

Aquatic Weathervanes  |  Banner Weathervanes  |  Bird Weathervanes

Domestic Animal Weathervanes  |  Human Weathervanes  |  Mythological Weathervanes

Transportation Weathervanes  |  Unusual Weathervanes  |  Wild Animal Weathervanes

 

Contact Info:

 West Coast Weather Vanes:

Phone: (800) 762-8736  or (831) 425-5505  Fax (831) 425-5514

Email: info@westcoastweathervanes.com

377 Westdale Drive  Santa Cruz,  CA 95060

ALL DESIGNS ARE COPYRIGHTED BY WEST COAST WEATHER VANES AND MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN ANY WAY WITHOUT EXPRESS PERMISSION FROM WEST COAST WEATHER VANES.   

Cancellation Policy: A  10% cancellation fee will be applied to the cost of the weather vane including any optional costs if the order is cancelled prior to the date production begins.  This 10% fee will be deducted from the deposit already received and then a refund check will be sent back to you.  After production on your weather vane has begun, no refund will be available

Prices subject to change without notification.  For most up-to-date and accurate pricing, always check the website or contact us at: (800) 762-8736.